Veneer apparatus



Jan. l1, 1944. M M, TEA'GUE VENEER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m Wm m m m .EL m 7 w y M W m im SM H 0 m f@ f@ 7/ Jan. 11, 1944. M. M. TEAGUE VENEER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Srmentor.y Mor/EOE M. Tncsu:

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Gttomeg s Patented Jan. l1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE asaasvs vENEEa APPARATUS Monroe M. Teague, Lenoir, N. C. Application August 1a, 1942, semi No. 454,485

(o1. 1er-.281)

4 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of veneering Vand more especially to an improved veneer press and method of compressing sheets of material togethersuch as wood on a suitable form to fabricate articles from plywood.

In veneer presses and methods heretofore used, one of the greatest obstacles has been incurred when an attempt has been made to eliminate air pockets between the layers or sheets of veneer material. It is well known in this art that veneering methods usually require a suitable adhesive be applied to the adjoining faces of the veneer material. Then the glue is allowed to partially dry so that when the sheets are placed one upon the other,r the glue will be more effective. 'I'hese assembled sheets are then subjected to a pressure which not only diminishes the thick- "ness of the assembly but also serves to squeeze the excess adhesive from between the layers. Any air between the layers should be removed during this compression, but unless pressure is properly applied to these assembled layers, ai pockets will remain in the material and thus Amaterially reduce the effective strength and quality of the finished product.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved veneer press which is capable of applying a moving pressure applying means to the layers of veneer, beginning at an interior surface area and progressing toward the edges of the layers. In the present instance, a closed ilexible bag is inated to a given pressure.' Then the assembled layers of veneer are placed upon a s'upport which, in turn, is moved against this iniiated bag until the pressure covers the entire area oi the veneer. One yof the novel points of the present invention resides in progressively increasing the area of the veneer sheets assembly which is in contact with the inilated bag. In other words, the inflated bag tlrst contacts one portion of the assembled sheets of veneer and then gradually covers the entire outer surface thereof to cause the excess adhesive and air which is disposed between the layers to be squeezed towards the free edges of the veneer layers. with the entire outer surface of the veneer assembly at one time, there would be a tendency for the outer edges of the veneer layers to be closed and thus prevent the escape of the air and excess adhesive.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved method of compressing layers of veneer which comprises the application of a suitable adhesive to-the adjoining surfaces of a If the bag should be moved into contact plurality of veneer sheets, then applying agiven low external pressure uponan interior surface area of said layers, and progressively increasing the area covered by said given low pressure towards the outer edges of said layers. After the entire outer surface of thelayers of veneer has been subjected to this low pressure, a rrela-- tively high pressure is then applied to cause the layers to be further compressed. As heretofore stated, the object of rst producing this relatively low pressure is to remove the excess adhesive iluid, as well as to remove the air pockets which might be present between the layers.

Some of the objects of the invention having` been stated, other objects will appear as the de-A scription proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved veneer press;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1:

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the lines 3 3 infFigure 1 showing the veneer support in a lowered or retracted position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view similar to the upper portion of Figure 3, but showing the veneer support and associated layers of veneer in an elevated position where the layers are being compressed;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view l similar to the upper left-hand portion of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric exploded view showing one type of support employed in the present apparatus for receiving veneer layers While the same are being compressed; y

Figure "I is an isometric view of a veneer shape suchas an airplane wing, which is adapted to be compressed upon the form shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the veneer shape shown in Figure 7, said sectional view having been trimmed so as to resemble a portionof an airplane wing.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l0 denotes a suitable pit across which a plurality of transversely disposed r lip i4a, which lip rests on the top of a plate member il to thereby support the cylinder I4.

Each cylinder i4 has slidably mounted therein a piston I3, and the upper end of the piston I3 supports a platform il which, in turn. has secured to the upper side thereof a veneer support base 23. This base is more clearly shown in Figure 6. Suitable projections 2| extend from the upper side of the base 2l, said projections being A adapted to yremovably fit in cavities 22 disposed in a vencer supporting form 23.

The shape of member 2l and 23 may be varied l Ito suit the particular item which is being made.

l For'example. the present shape is best suited to the manufactureof veneer airplane wings. It is, of course, understood that if other portionsv of the airplane are desired' to be made, the shape of Ithe members 24 and 22 would have to be changed y accordingly. In fact, any type of veneer strucsupport `and the actuating means therefor.

turemay be compreed by employing the present invention, but the present disclosure is especially adapted to -veneer construction in which a rounded concave or convex edge is present.

In order to prevent the pressure within the lower portionv of cylinder i4 from escaping round the piston I3, suitable packing rings 24 are provided (seo Figure 4) These rings may be vof felt, fiber, or other suitable material capable of providing a liquid tight seal. between the piston and cylinder. 'v

The above mechanism relates tothe veneer In actual operation the veneer` layers 24 are placed upon the support, and then are moved upwardly between suitable resilient pressure members lto thereby cause the layers yto be ilrmly pressed together into a unitary structure such as an airplane wing 2L The pressure member and associated structure will now be'described. y

These pressure members are supported by the ,verticallyl disposed rods I2 previously described.

By referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4, it can be seen that the lower ends of each rod i2 has a restricted threaded portion i2a integral therewith which penetrates a plate 3l. saidplate being sc cured to the bottom of each pair of I-beams Il.

A nut 3i is'threadablysecured on the projecting y lower 'end I2a of each rod l2 so that the rod will be heldin erected position. The upper end of l eachrod l2 has another restricted threaded portion v|21 which penetrates the-end of a yoke member 373, said yoke member being supported by a pair oi' rods izwhich are disposed on opposed sides of the veneer supporting member 23. A nut 34 is provided on the upper end of restricted thread portion |2b for securingthe yoke in position. In the present disclosure there are six pairs of rods vl 2 and each pair supports a yoke 33; however, it is to be understood that any number of pairs of rods and yokes may be employed to suit the type of structure to be built, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

These yokes are all disposed substantially at the same elevation and the lower sides thereof have secured thereto a hood 35, said hood having a lower open side which is disposed opposite the platform I9 and veneer support 23. v Secured to the interior of hood 35 is a pair of resilient sheets' of material 38, such as rubber, by any suitable means such as bolts 31, 38, and 39. Each of these sheets is identicaLbut it is to be understood that they may vary under certain conditions, especially where theV form or shape of the veneer material is irregular and unsymmetrical. One edge of each sheet 36 has secured thereto as at 40 a wear sheet 4|, which is preferably made out of a suitable tough material such as leather. These sheets extend downwardly alongside each other from points 40 for a considerable distance, and then extend laterally in opposite directions to the sides of hood member 35. .The sheets 4I are secured as at 42 to the interiorsurface of the hood member 35.

By observing Figure 5, it can be seen that the rubber sheets 38, the wearing'sheet 4I, and a portion of the hood lmember 35 form a closed ilgure. Disposed in this closed ilgure is a closed bag 43 which is preferably made of a sui-table resilient material such as rubber. The purpose of this bag is to hold air of a suilicient pressure to compress the layers of veneer 25 together when the apparatus is in operation. The upper end of this bag 43 is secured to the hood member 33 by means of bolts 38 and 38.'

In order to prevent abrupt bends in the bags 43 and also to prevent similar bends in the wearing sheets 4|, suitable blocks 44 are secured to opposed edges of the hood member 35 along the open side thereof by any suitable means such as l screws 45.

Air is admittedv to each of the closed bags 43 by way of pip 48 (see Figures l and 2). These pipes lead to a suitable pressure tank 50 which is adapted to contain compressed air or the like.

Although compressed air has been specified, it o is to be understood that any suitable fluid may be employedfor this purpose such as steam or the like. Suitable hand valves Il and A52 are located in pipe lines 49 so as to control the flow of air from the tank 30 to the closed bags 43. These air pipes also have an exhaust hand valve 53 which may be employed for relieving the pressure from the bags 43, when desired, after valve t the pipe 51 has a hand valve 59 and a safety valve 60 communicating therewith, said safety valve being adapted to relieve the pressure in pipe Il, as well as in bag 43 when it reached a pressure limit substantially lower than the pressure adapted to actuate safety valve 5B.

Usually the safety valve 60 is set at an exhaust point of about 10 pounds.

The purpose of the hand valve 59 is to cut off the pressure from the safety valve 60 at the desired time. For example, it is desirable to have a relatively low pressure, say 10 pounds in the flexible bags 53 when the form 23 and associated veneer structure 26 is first inserted therebetween. After the form 23 and structure 26 become completely inserted to the position shown in Figure 4, the hand valve 59 is actuated to cut oi the safety valve 60, after which the pressure in the tank 50 builds up the pressure in the flexible bags i3 to rise upwardly,

of approximately 10 pounds.

sure in the tank 50 maintained at a slightly l higher level.

Another pressure tank il is employed 4for raising members I8, i3, 20, and 23 when it is desired to insert the form and the associated layers of veneei` between the .flexible bag members 43. The ltank 6| communicates with the interior of cylinders I4 by meansof a pipe 1B, said pipe having hand valve 'H therein and said tank having a pressure gauge 13 associated therewith. A safety valve 14 also communicates with the tank Il and the associated structure so that when a predetermined high pressure is reached, 'the air will be relieved. It can be seen by observing the left-hand portion of Figure l that an exhaust outlet 1l is provided and this voutlet is controlled by a hand valve 16.

The tank 3| has a suitable air pressure maintained therein, say 125 pounds, by any suitable means such as an automatic pump 82, said pump communicating with.tank Il by way of pipe 33.

As heretofore stated, when beginning to use this apparatus, the hand valves l and 52 are opened to allow the bags 43 to become inated to approximately pounds pressure. At the same time the hand valve' 53 is opened to permit the 10 pounds pressure gauge 6l to be subjected to the pressure within the bags. This initial `l0 pounds of pressure in the bags 43 will cause the wearing sheets 4I to press against eachother in the manner shown in Figure 3 vand the pressure between these sheets 4l will be sufficient to yieldingly engage the opposed sides' of the veneer layers 23 which are disposed upon the form 23. Then the air is admitted to the lower portionffof cylinders I4 under a suitable pressureiof approximately 125 pounds; thereby causing the pistons I3 and the associated platform This upward movement will cause the form 23 and the associated veneer layers 25 to become inserted between-the sheets 4| and, of course, as it is inserted, the layers will be subjected to the predetermined low pressure As the form 23 and the veneer structure are inserted, the l0 pounds pressure area is gradually increased from the upper portion of the form to the lower portion of the form until the entire outer surface of the veneer is covered. The progressive ironingor covering of the vencer structure by the pressure members 4I and 43 serves to remove air pockets from between the 4veneer layers and also serves to remove the excess glue or other adhesive therefrom.

By doubling the veneer layers 2 over the formI vthe valve 1| may be closed and the exhaust valve 16 opened to permit the airin cylinders I4 to exhaust and thus permit the platform I0, together. with members 20, 23, and 28,`to move downwardly from betweenl the -members 4l and When the platform and compressed layers of the veneer have been lowered to the position shown in Figure 1, the member 23 and the compressed veneer layers 26 are removed from base member 2n and then the form is separated from the compressed veneer layers.

In Figure 7, 'the compressed layer structure of veneer is shown as it appears when it'is rey moved from'the form 23. This compressed shape is made especially for airplane wings, but before itis ready for use, it is necessaryto cut the same in a suitable manner such as along dotted lines .30, after which suitablel spars and truss work, if necessary are placed `therein and secured in position so as to make the compressed l shapemore substantial and ready for use.l The cutting along the linea 80 is to. provide a space The upward movement of the platform I3 is additionally guided by suitable brackets32, secured to platform Il, said brackets .encircling some of the vvertically disposed rods i2. These brackets merely assist the pistons I3 in causing the platform i3 to move upwardly along a predetermined path whereby the form 23 and associated veneer structure 26 will be held in the proper position as they are inserted between the bags 4| and 43. 1

Throughout the specification, 4it is stated that a pressure of 10 pounds is. placed in the bags at first and then pounds pressure is admitted' and that the working pressure can be varied very much below or very much above 100 pounds to suit conditions, and it is desirable to have theA pressure in the cylinder I4 somewhat higher than that within the bags, so as to hold the object being molded in its raised position.

Sometines itis desirable to employ a heated fluid instead of steam in the bags 43 to effect the proper consolidation of the veneer layers. In such a case a steam inlet pipe 83 is provided in which a hand valve 3| is located. When using steam, the valve 52 is closed and the valve 3| is opened so that steam instead of air will flow into bags 43.

It willbe noted by observing Figures 1 and 3 that drain valves 34 are located in the bottoms of cylinders i4. These drain valves facilitate the removal of liquid matter from the cylinders and pipe 10.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are emhaving their surfaces coated with an adhesive,

an open bottomed chamber disposed in fixed position above the platform, and having top and `side walls and end walls, a pair of inflatable and distendable bags secured to the inside surfaces of said member, and having their proximate faces adapted to be distended towards each other by air pressure on the interior thereof, means for forcing fluid into the bags to distend the same, a safety valve for regulating the pressure therein, so that it will not exceed a predetermined low point, means for forcing the platform and the form with the veneer sheets thereon upwardly between the proximatesurfaces of the two bags to cause the form to be progressively inserted between the bags, a second safety valve for setting the high point of pressure, means for disconnecting the first safety valve to substantially increase the pressure in the bags after the form has been fully inserted therebetween to thus apply greater pressure to the veneer sheets to bond them together.

2. In a veneer press, a fixed frame, a vertically movable platform disposed in the frame, an uprising form on the upper side of the platform, and adapted to have folded over its upper edge and side portions a plurality of veneer sheets having their surfaces coated w'ith an adhesive, an open bottomed chamber disposed in fixed rosi- Y tion above the platform, and having top and side- 'walls and end walls, a pair of inatable and distendable bags secured to the inside surfaces of said chamber, and having their proximate faces adapted to be distended towards each other by air pressure on the interior thereof, means for forcing fluid into the bags to distend the same,v

a safety valve for regulating the pressure therein, so that it will not exceed a predetermined low point, means for forcing the platform and the form -with the veneer sheets thereon upwardly between the proximate surfaces of -the two bags to cause the form to be progressively inserted between the bags, a second safety valve for setting the high point of pressure, means for disconnecting the first safety valve to substantially increase the pressure in the bags after the form has been fully inserted therebetween to lthus apply greater pressure to the veneer sheets to bond them together, the bags having a wear resistant sheet secured over their proximate surfaces to engage the veneer sheets inserted therebetween.

3. In a veneer press, a fixed frame, a vertically movable platform. disposed in the frame, an uprising form on the upper side of the platform, and adapted to have folded over its upper edge and side portions a plurality of veneer sheets having their surfaces coated with an adhesive, an open bottomed chamber disposed in xed position above the platform, and having top and side Walls and end walls, a pair of inflatable and distendable bags secured to the inside surfaces of said chamber, and having their proximate faces adapted to be distended towards each other by air pressure on the interior thereof, means forforcing fluid into the bags to distend the same, a safety valve for regulating the pressure therein,. so that it will not exceed a predetermined low point, means for forcing the platform and the form with the veneer sheets thereon upwardly between the proximate surfaces of the two bags to cause the form to be progressively inserted between the bags,a second safety valve for setting the high point of pressure, means for disconnecting the first safety valve to substantially increase the pressure in the bagsafter the form has been fully inserted therebetween to thus apply greater pressure to the veneer sheets to bond them together, the pressure regulating mechanism comprising two safety valves with means for disconnecting the high pressure safety valve and connecting the low pressure safety valve while the form with the veneer sheets thereon is being inserted between the bags, and means for disconnecting the low pressure safety valve and connecting a high pressure safety valve'to the interior of the two bags, so that pressure may be substantially increased after the form with the veneer sheets thereon has been inserted between the bags.

4. In a veneer press, a framework, a plurality of vertically disposed posts rising from each side of the framework, a platform mounted for sliding movement on said posts, and having a form projecting upwardly from the upper surface thereof, and onto which adhesively coated veneer sheets are adapted to be placed, a piston extending downwardly from the platform and pressure operated means disposed below the piston for raising the platform upwardly, an inverted open bottomed hood flxedly mounted on said posts above `said platform, and having a pair of inflatable and distendable bags secured therein whose proximate surfaces tend to press against each other when air pressure is admitted into the bags, so that when the platform is moved upwardly, the form with the adhesively .coated veneer sheets thereon will be progressively moved between the proximate surfaces of the bags while a comparatively low pressure is within the bags, and means for substantially increasing the pressure in the bags after the form with the veneer sheets thereon has been completely inerted between the proximate surfaces of the ags.

MONROE M. TEAGUE. 

